Time computing and recording



May 27, 1952 B.'P. WOOD 2,593,331

TIME COMPUTING AND RECORDING CLOCK Filed Oct. 15, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 1##armry May 27, 1952 B, P, woon TIME COMPUTING AND' RECORDING CLOCK 4Sheets-Sheei 2 Filed Oct. 15, 1947 FIG. 2

y 7, 1952 B. P. WOOD 2,598,331

TIME COMPUTING AND RECORDING CLOCK Filed Oct. 15, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 3F/ 6. 7 F/s. 9 H6. /0 F/ 6.

/m e/7/or P. Wood May 27, 1952 p, WOOD TIME COMPUTING AND RECORDINGCLOCK 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 15, 1947 F/ca. /6

Patented May 27, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIE 2,598,331 TIMECOMPUTING AND RECORDING CLOCK Browning Paton Wood, Montreal, Quebec,Canada Application October 15, 1947, Serial No. 779,905

21 Claims. (01. s is-'82) This invention relates to improvements in timecomputing recorders and the primary object of the invention is toprovide a time recorder having means for computing and recording thetime elapsed between selectedoperations of the device. A further objectis to provide a time computing recorder so constructed and arranged thatit may be incorporated with, or have incorporated with it, many of theknown varieties of instant time recorders. A still further object is toprovide a time computing recorder which may be readily adjusted ormodified to perform a variety of time computing and recordingoperations, according to the requirements of a variety of uses. Anotherobject is to provide a device of the foregoing character which issimple, compact, inexpensiveand rugged in construction. Still anotherobject is to provide a time computing recorder adapted to automaticallyreset itself after making a record of computed time and to be thereafterinoperative until the commencement of the next time period of which arecord is desired. Another object is to provide a time computingrecorder adapted to continue its time computing, without resettingitself, after making 3 a record of computed'time, and to reset itself atpredetermined times, or to become inoperative for time computing butwithout resetting itself. Still another object is to provide a timecomputing recorder responsive to the insertion of a record receivingelement or to the operation of supervisory means, or to the operation ofboth such element and such means for the printing of records of computedtime and for the starting and stopping of time computing operations.Various other objects and the advantages of the invention may beascertained from the following description and the accompanyingdrawings.

Broadly stated, the invention consists in a plurality of computing andrecording elements and integrating operating means therefor, togetherwith means for automatically resetting-the computing elements after arecord has been made or for continuing the operation of thecomputingmeans after a record has been made, and means for rendering thecomputing means inoperative during periods of time when no computationof time is desired.

' More particularly, the invention consists in the features andcombinations of features herein disclosed, together with all suchmodifications thereof and substitutions of equivalents therefor as arewithin the scope of the appended claims.

The invention is susceptible of embodiment in a'variety of ways. both asto the form and ar- 2 rangement of the computing and recording elementsand the resetting and operation controlling mechanisms therefor and asto the form and arrangement of the integrating operating mechanismtherefor, and these may be used alone or in association with instanttime recording mechanism of anysuitable sort.

The most simple embodiment of the invention is one adapted to computeand record the working time of one man or one machine and toautomatically reset itself after each recording of a computed workperiod. The 'inventionalso includes means whereby the operation of thetime computing means and the resetting thereof are independent of thecomputation recording, and the computing mechanism is controlled bysupervisory means for operation only at predetermined periods and forresetting at predetermined times. The computing and recording elementsmay be of any suitable or desired form, such as of finite form arrangedfor reciprocation but are preferably of endless, unidirectional type,such as belts or wheels. Computing and recording elements of wheel formare now preferred and the following description will be confinedto-elements of this form and 'to integrating operating mechanism,resetting mechanism and operation controlling mechanism suitablethereto, but it will be understood the invention is not thereby limitedto the wheel form of computing and recording elements or to theparticular embodiments of the resetting mechanism, operation controllingmechanism or integrating operating mechanism hereafter described. r

For simplicity of description and to facilitate understanding of theconstruction and operation of the invention, the elapsed time computingand recording elements will be hereinafter referred to as computingwheels and the instant time recording elements as time wheels" and thesame distinction will be applied to elements related thereto. The termrecording wheels will be used as a generic or collective term denotingboth the computing and time wheels.

According to my invention, rotatably mounted computing wheels havingnumerals in relief on the peripheral surfaces thereof for the printingof time computations are associated with an integrating operatingmechanism to rotate the wheels in accordance with the passage of time;with means to suspend the operation of the computing wheels duringdesired periods of time and to render them operative during otherperiods of time and with means to automatically rotate the computingwheels immediately after a recording of computed time has been made, orat any other predetermined time, to reset the wheels to zero. In theaccompanying drawings, which illus trate those embodiments of myinvention now preferred, but without limitation to the details thereof,and one form of associated instant time recording; means, i but withoutlimitation to,- that particular type of, instant time recor.ding;;means:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of an embodiment of the invention, thesupervisory mechanism and the casing being omitted to show the primaryresetting mechanism.

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the right hand side of the structure shown inFig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the recording mechanism with partsremoved to reveal the means for selectively rendering the computing- Fi-.8. isv acn ssrsectional viewcffthe computing E a. is. an leyationorone. o :the compu in h L e et ins-d scs .Q the. scale crime. .6,

F 1.0.. een levationo the front of the macting.rake.-liftineam. onthesceee f fig. 6.

E e- 1 an elevation f.theheck.oiioneoi't e computin rakecamdriving-,discsrpn the scale of his. 6..

Fig. 12, is a vertical.sectionaliview,of the recoil damp ng m chan sm,on,the,.1ine,l2..I2;ot Fig- Eig, i3 is ;a.di.ag1fam-.of, onearrangementcf the electrical circuits of .the. apparatus.

Figs. lei. and 15. are views vsimilar, to Eig, .3, showing.respectively, ;mechaI1ical,.and.electrical upervis ry m e s to o trolibe op rat on an esett g: 10 th mputin me hanism. mitted ,i omz 1-v Eig.sa circuit,diagram showingsupervision of operatin periods and resetting.of the-com- .put g: means.

?,1 ,u cee e ra e tl-p in ord of: the-type made bvthe apparatus.

Referring more particularly. to the drawings, and giirst to thosepartsofthe structureillustrated which are common to instant timerecordin -and eras t me com uti g a d cord ng and W1 ebee xs i bl c llknown con- .ructiQn;,- l d gna haseend he s ace meiuimm-eidepla esfixed. .to the 'baseandcn w ichatime e rdin mechen smadesien tede,eewholecb the. numerallfi. .is -.supp0rted.= n.any su ta le. way. asby.arpinze. Thentimereco dine mechanism 2 3, includes, front. intermediate,and eer fremeiplates. 2 2.5.and: 1';. esn cti elr. .r sid connectedteeeh r in paced l tion and 1vix1s. n.ve tica1 .plene tran ver e .o he Plnes of. the mainframeplates 22: 1A shaft 2-8"is journalled ;in thelowerparts of the frontandrear frame plates-2 5and ZI andcarries' thecomputing wheels A2, 43 a nd '44, hereafter described:AninvertedgyU-shaped: rake frame 29 isoscillatably mgunted" at theend'gportions of its; arms on the rake shaft-30- carries acomputing-wheel rake 41,

4 hereafter described, for operating the computing wheels. A set ofinstant time recording wheels 3| may be mounted on the shaft 28 and anoperating rake 32 for said wheels 3| may be mounted on the shaft 30. Amotor 33, mounted in the main frame, drives a shaft 34 with cam 35thereon at any suitable speed, preferably at one revolution per minute.Thecam actuates a lever, link and spring mechanism 36, of any. suitablesort, mount- 5 ed on and between the plates 25 and 26 and connected tothe rake frame to raise and lower the same at regular intervals of time,preferably once every-minute, the frame being spring powered for returnmovement to shift the computing wheels and-the time wheels, in the wellknown manner. Beneath the time recording mechanism 23. a verticallyacting solenoid 31 carries a printing platen 3.8 upwardly thrustableagainst all the time recording wheels, whereby a time computation and aninstant time record may be printed on a receivingelement 39, such -as atime card, inserted between the platen andwheels. When the element3 &be. time card, it may be used-to initiate operationof theprinting-mechanism by inserting 'itfar enough to rearwardly-displaceatrigger 40 actuating the circuit maker 41 (Fig. 13) of the solenoid'3-1,in-the well known manner. Alternatively. the circuit of the solenoidmay 'be closed by any-other means at appropriate times.

It is to beunderstoodthat the mounting-ofthe time wheels 31 on the-sameshaft28 asthe computing wheels and'for operation by the same -r notorand in, conjunction with the same'printing mechanism as serves thecomputing wheels is purelya matter of convenience and-that the shaftcarryi the wheels '3 I may be entirely separate from the shaft" 28',either aligned therewith so as .to locate the time wheelsin closeproximity to the computing wheels, so that instant time may be recordedbesidethe record of computed time, or. the shaft carrying the wheels 3lmay-be-loisflblank, thatis, it-.does not ,bear numerals in .re-

lief .onits .peripheral surface. The second wheel 43 b'earsthe numeralsOfand "1 to 9 in relief ,fon,its peripheral surface and the third wheelbears the numbers "0 and 1 to l'lf'in relief on. its peripheral surface.The .foregoingarrangement'oflnumerals provides recording computedtirneinhoursand tenths of an hour} which computations are very convenient insubsequent use ofthe recordedcomputations, for example, in making upapay-roll. The computing-wheels may, however, bear other series ofnumerals, and the number of wheels used may bemore'or less thanvthethree wheels illustrated, according to the computation and recordthereof desired; as-will be wellunderstood'by-those skilled in the'art.For example; the blank'wheel flmaycarry-thenumorals- 0-" and '1 to 9on-its peripheral' surface and the wheel 43' may carry the numerals 0and1*-*to"5; in -w-hich case the computationand-record thereof willbe-in hours-and'minutes. Likewise, the hour wheel 44 may carry numeralsonly from to 9 and by the use of two or v more of such wheels, thecomputation and record thereof may be extended to 99 or 999 hours,or=more. Computations of this extent are sometimesrequired when thedevice is used to compute the running time of machines.

Each of the wheels 42, 43 and 44 is provided, at one side of the numeralrow, with a circular series of ratchet teeth 45, the number of teethcorresponding to the number of numerals on the wheel. One tooth 46 oneach of the wheels 42 and 43 is cut deeper than the others so thatwhen'the rake 47, hereafter described, engages this tooth it will beallowed to drop sufliciently to engage a tooth of the next wheel, toshift the same from one numeral to the next, as will be readilyunderstood by all familiar with the construction and operation ofcounting mechanisms. For the mechanical convenience of limiting theamplitude of rake movement, it is preferred to form the wheel 42 withtwelve teeth, of which two diametrically opposite teeth are deep teeth,as shown in Fig. 5, so that at each half revolution of the wheel, therake may drop to engage the teeth of the wheel 43. This number of teethcorresponds to two series of numerals, each being 0 to and eachrepresenting a six minute period. The opposite side of each of thewheels 42, 43 and 44 from the ratchet teeth is provided with aneccentrically disposed pin 48. Preferably, the pin bearing-side of eachwheel is annularly recessed, as at 49, and the pin is located in therecess and is sunk below the side surface of the wheel, as clearly Eachof these discs is irrevolubly mounted on the same shaft 28 as thecomputing wheels and each disc is substantially in contact with therecessed 'side of its associated wheel. The discs may be held in anysuitable way against revolution on the shaft, but, preferably, by anintegral spline 53 on each disc engaging in a key way or groove 54formed lengthwise in the shaft 23. Each of the resetting discs carries,on the side thereof adjacent its associated computing wheel, a springpawl 55 located and adapted to co-operate with the pin 48 of thecomputing wheel to drive the wheel for resetting and to allow the wheelto be rotated in a forward, or computing, direction. These pawls arepreferably each formed of, thin spring steel, riveted at one end to thedisc and inclining away from it so that the free end of the pawl mayengage the side of a pin 48 during the resetting movement of the disc todrive the wheel, and may yield to allow the pin to slide under it duringthe forward, or computing, movement of the wheel and during positioningof the disc for resetting purposes. By recessing the wheels in themanner described, the pins 48 and pawls 55 are contained in thethickness of the wheels, and the wheels and discs may be packed closelytogether for mutual support.

If desired, a single resetting disc may be associated with two computingwheels by using wheels recessed on adjacent sides and by providingspring pawls on both sides of the resetting disc, which is locatedbetween the wheels.

The rake 41 is of the type usual in counting mechanisms and is, inreality, a multiple pawl adapted to co-operate with the ratchet teeth ofseveral wheels, selectively. The pawls, or teeth, of the rake are ofdifferent lengths, the longest being at the units end of the rake forengageof contact with the teeth of the wheels 43 and 44. When, however,the wheel 42 has been rotated sufiiciently to bring one of its deepteeth 46 in register with therake tooth, the rake is allowed to dropsufficiently for its next tooth to engage a tooth of the wheel 43, tomove the wheel the distance of one tooth, or numeral, thereof.Similarly, the rake is held up out of engagement with the teeth of thewheel 44 until a deep tooth of wheel 42 and the deep tooth of wheel 43register and allow the rake to drop into engagement with the teeth ofthe wheel 44.

The rake 41 is irrevolubly mounted on the shaft 36 so that itsengagement with the ratchet teeth of any of the wheels 42, 43 and 44 maybe controlled. If the time wheel rake 32 is mounted on the shaft 30, itis revoluble thereon so that posltioning of the shaft to control thecomputing rake 41 will not affect the operation of the time rake 32.Each of the computing wheels is provided'with an associated springpressed locking pawl 56 engaging the ratchet teeth 45 to hold the wheelagainst movement when the rake is slipping back over the teeth and whenthe pawl of the associated resetting disc is slipping over the pin 48.These locking pawls are mounted'on a common shaft '51, which may alsocarry similar locking pawls for the time wheels.

The mechanism for resetting the computing wheels to zero aftertherecording of an elapsed time computation comprises, in addition to theresetting discs already described, a pinion 58 fixed to the front end ofthe shaft 28 and meshing with an intermediate gear 59 revolubly mountedon a stud GD'carried by the frame plate 25. The intermediate gear mesheswith a quadrant gear 6| fixed to the end of a shaft 62 journalled in abracket 63 carried by the plates 25 and 26. The rear end of the shafthas fixed thereto a pinion 64 meshing with a driving gear 65 fixed to ashaft 66 journalled in a bracket 61 carried by the right hand main frameplate 22. To ensure that the gear 59 does not overrun in resetting andthat the shaft 28 and all elements driven thereby stop in exactly properpositions, the gear 59 carries a stop 59 engageable with an abutment 59mounted on the frame. One end of a lever 68 is fixed to the shaft 66 andthe other end is connected by an adjustable link 69 with the verticallymovable plunger '10 of a solenoid ll mountedin a yoke 12 on the mainframe. The plunger is held against rotation by a steady head 13 runningon pins 14 carried by the solenoid mounting yokel2. An adjustable stopis provided in any suitable place to limit'upward movement of theplunger 10, for example, a screw 15 mounted on the main frame in thepath of the steady head. A second lever 16 is fixed at one end to theshaft 66 and a tension spring 17 is connected between the free end ofthe lever and the base 2|, to return the parts to original positionsafter each operation of the solenoid ll.

The spring '1! acts as a shock absorber to cushion the mechanism againstshocks incident to the operation of the solenoid. To cushion themechanism against shocks incident to operation of the spring, anysuitable form of shock absorber may be used. One form which has beenfound very satisfactory is of the hydraulic type illustratedsandmompriseswanzupright cylinder-J8 ptvot'edzat itsxlowenend :to -abracket 1 9: mounted on thez base; and containing a= -piston ,Bfl ,connected at its upper: endxto the lever ;'I S The lowenendzofithe\cylinder issconneqt d by a passageutzl with a liquid reservoir 82';\whichimayzalso communicatewiththe openltoniof the cylinder so as'itcreceive any; liquid leaking; past the. piston" A ball valve 83 iisarranged in the' passage 8 I to permitireerfio-w of liquid-dnIze-thecylinder as the piston rises and: to": close 1 against return i new of:liquid :while the :piston is descending. A lcleed passage alisniiovided kadingirorn thelower end of the-cylinder into the passage B-I, to shortenc i he valvexfli Q t 0 shiieed pa sageais' control-ledbysaneedleyaglve 85, v at such rate--:-tha.t-,d cen of t piston -r t tddan the mechanism comes=quletly toresnwithout suff rin any. s ck) In2 orr t de eicomnuti s hee Q noperative' duringitime-periods of which nocomuta n-is:v e u ed suc -m n ho a a nigh s o du in thetime aarm in i 3m ti anmean a e nmri e io auto at al i t n th ceme in ie e- 1 w en thcomputing w ee s a ez e reset t i e a t h P n eo z omput t mer and:-.aut m t a s q inath r s to :0nerativ p it -a e mmence ent o ;,t m peo.c1 w iim d sir to compute. {IPhemechanism for doinglthis comprisesagadisc 8 5 irrevolubly, mounted -on the front end 'of the vshatt liapreferably immediately behindthe-pinionia; a pair'of discs 81" and '88revolubly mounted on vthe shaft -2'8Tb'eh'ind the disc v86; andmeans-i-operated by thedi'sc 884 to partially rotate theerakeshaftlfllThedisc 86 is formed wither-notch v89I in its .edge, .the length ofwhichnotch-isgreater than the diameter of a pin 80 fixed to thesecond.disc 81 and engaging in'the-notch. By this "means, a lostmotionvdriving connection isestablishedbettveen the disc 86 andithe disc81. The disc 81 is preferably larger in. diameter than the disc.86-and.carries.a stop pin fll. beyond-the perimeter of the disc 86,

adapted to engage an adjustable stop SZcarried by-thecomputing.mechanism frame The back of the. intermediate .disc .81 carries a pairof pins disposed 180 apartand-ieach adapted -to contact a: springpawl-94,. similarltorthe pawls 5 5 mounted on the iront qfithe disc 8.82Thepins and awl constit utear one-way. drivingaconnection betweenthe-disc 81-andrthe2 disc- 88.". ,Avspring, pressed locking pawlSide-mounted(on the frame. and engages the edge ofthei disc-\88-. toholdit against rotation duringureverse rotation of the disc 81.

The disc -8B-,which is reallya *cam, is formed .with an: abrupt drop;'96.: A lever 91 'is pivotedon the frame plate '25 and ihas: a. downwardprojection overlying'the:camc88: The free end ofwthisleverengagestunderaz roller 9.8 mountedson the iree endaof? anuarmsafl fixed:to' the" front end of the rake: shaft '30: At ':the a opposite .end" ofthe rake shaft, an arm 'I omismonnectedltoatension: spring IOI mountedon the'-rake-ffame 29 and operating, to hold -th'e-rol-ler ilfl down' onthe lever 9l. A spring I02 mount-ed on the frame plate -25 engages thecam-1ever= 91 and 'urges it against the cam- 88.

If desired, means '-may be provided to" indicate when the "computingwheels 'areoperating: One suitable means is a lever I I13pivotedintermediate its ends and interposedat oneend between thecamlever 91 and-its spring I025 and carrying-at the opposite end; asignal IOU adapted to-ris 'e into a vlew--=opening--I-05-in theiront orthe casing (not shown) when-thecomnutingwheels-are operating;

As previously stated, when a time card is inserted between the recordingwheels andthe platen to printing-position, it pushes pact: the trigger,40 to operate the circuit closing switch-oi the solenoid 3.I.- Thesameswitch:closes the clrcuit' or the sole oid i c hew ye t nlun QOf-the's01en0i 3 -d o immedi i v after .a record isprinted, while theoperation of t eso nei s r t r rb t mechanism 199 n'ectedthereto; itisnecessary toprovide for dif ferent-powering periods forthe twosolenoids; -'-Io this end; the circuit of solenoid 31 includes a pairQiwntac m de edty warm l" ri idl co c d h -p u er I" Q -th l 1 as-l ngas the plunger-10 is in its'bottom-posin n- A s o i a 5 u r I" mm q s irise, thearrn 10;"! disengages the contacts 1 06". ich o n t b ak ih -seu -.ti S ene 31. The solenoid-1| has a-holdinglcircuit includ ingaicroswitch lllil controlled by a flexible-actuator Illlpivotedonthe base2] adjacent-the solenoid 'lfla One arm oflthe actuator is incon-jtactwith the switch and the other arm inclines into the path of apin I 'IOca'rri'ed by the plunger J19. Assoon asth'e plunger commencesto .rise, the pin ,I I ll engages .the outer side of the actuatorto'rock the same on its pi vot'to operate theswitch I 08 and establishthe holdingcircuit of l the solenoid- 'II. When the plunger-approachesthe'lihiit of its upwardmovement, the pm I III" passes the upper end ofthe actuator I and releases the same so thatthe switch 18- isrelased'and'oplenstlie holding circuit'to de-energize the solenoid Tl;allowing its plunger to drop. The-pin HO then travels down the innerside of "theactiiatorfuntil it disengages the same bypassing the lowervend III'of it, which is' fiexedinthe process and then returns toposition for re-engiagementfof its (outer surface by thepinatthenextfrise'oftheplunger.

For convenience oiu'sers oflthedevice; a gear train I Iaimay be rovided;oweredbytheshait 3A, to operate usual ho'u'ria'nd" minute handssweepinga' clock dial I I3 which'is visible through the view "openingI05; Itwill beunderstoodthe mechanism is p'rovidedwith means to feedan'ink ribbon between the" recording wheels andtlie platen; or withother-"suitable means for-inking the printing characters on" the wheels,but for simplicity of illustration" such means has b'een omitted: Also;it will 'be {understood that when necessaryor desirable' any known orsuitable means may be 'incorporated'to determine the-position of a' timecard inserted *under the printing wheelstherebYto prevent printing ofone-record upon a" previous" one." As is usual with time clocks, themotor 33 0perates continuously to rotate the shaft 34, prefera'blyjatone revolution per minute;- so thato'n'ce in" each minute the mechanism38- operates' to lift the-rake frame-2'9 and fposi-tion' the rakes for afresh engagementwiththe ratchetteeth of the computing wheels and th'etime wheels. On completion of the upward movementythereturn spring drawsthe frame down and' anyrake teeth which-are in operative relation withrecording wheel ratchets'move the recording wheel or w-hels forward adistaneeto register 'onemin-utemttime. The forward movement of thesewheels,- wlth ap paratu's'as shown in F-igsl'l to 3; iscounterclockwise.

Assuming the parts of the :mechanisrn are' in the "positionsshown inFigs; 1 l te d, namely;' with the 'cam lever-81 ridingi 'on the ll-it ofthe cam 88 and -holding the computingirake41 upI-in inoperative positionand that the computing wheels stand at zero," the operation of the abovedescribed integrating operating mechanism has no effect on the computingwheels, which remain stationary. To start the device computing, a timecard 39 is inserted'in the space between the platen 38 and the recordingwheels and actuates the trigger to close the circuits of the solenoids31 and 1|. The platen rises and drives the card against the recordingwheels, thereby to print a record of the time registered by the wheels.The record of the computing wheels will be :0. If time wheels areassociated with the computing wheels, the instant time, say, 8 :00 A. M.will be printed beside the computed record.

When the solenoid II lifts its plunger, motion is transmitted throughlink 69, lever 68, shaft 66, gears 65 and 64, shaft 62, gears 6|, 59 and58 to rotate the shaft 28 in the backward direction of the computingwheels. Rotation of the shaft 28 causes rotation of the resetting discs50, and 52 in the backward direction of the wheels 42, 43 and 44. Whenthe plunger finishes its stroke and the solenoid is de-energized, thespring 11 returns the parts to their former positions. The gear ratiosin the above defined train and the adjusted length of the link 69 andthe adjusted stroke of the plunger III are such that the rotation of theshaft 28 and the resetting discs thereon at each stroke of the plungeris slightly less than one complete revolution forward. and the sameamount backward, so that the pawls 55 of the discs do not quite pass thewheel pins 48 when the wheels are standing at zero and thus may returnto former positions without moving the wheels.

Backward rotation of the shaft, as above described, rotates the notcheddriving disc 86 backward, or clockwise, It will be noted in Figs. 1 and3 that the pin 90 on the disc 81 is at the left hand end of the notch 89of the disc 86, this being its invariable position except when the rakecontrol mechanism is in operation. The disc 86 thus rotates through theangle subtended by the notch, less the angle subtended by the pin 90,before the right hand end of the notch engages the pin 98 and impartsdriving force to rotate the disc 81 backwards. During this backwardrotation, one of the pins 93 on the back of the disc passes the springpawl 94 on the cam disc 88.

On the downstroke of the plunger 10, the shaft 28 and disc 86 rotate inforward (counterclockwise) direction until the left hand end of thenotch 89 again engages the pin 90 and movement is imparted to the disc81 and from it, through one of the pins 93 and the spring pawl 94 to thecam disc 88 to rotate it forwardly and carry the cam drop 96 under theprojection of the lever 91, so that the lever drops and releases the arm99 of the rake shaft 30. The spring [0| then draws down the arm I00 ofthe rake shaft and thus rotates the shaft and draws the rake 41 fixedthereto down into operative relation with the ratchet teeth of thecomputing wheels 42, 43 and 44. The computing wheels are now operated,as already described, by the minute-by minute oscillation of the rakeframe and rake under the power of the motor 33. This operation of thecomputing wheels continues until the next operation of the solenoids bythe insertion of a time card, as already described.

At the next operation of the solenoids, say, at

12:06 P. M., the imprint made on the time card .by the computing, wheelswill read 4:1," meaning that, fourand-one tenth hours have elapsed .ofsolenoid operations.

10 since the record making at 8:00 oclock. The time wheels will printthe instant time record, namely, 12:06 P. M.

On the said second operation of the solenoids, the mechanism operatesexactly as already described, excepting that on the rise of the plunger10, the spring pawls of the resetting discs 50, 5| and 52 will pass thepins 48 of such of the computing wheels as have moved, and that on thefall of the plunger, the pawls will engage the pins and move thecomputing wheels to resetthem at zero. Also, the second pin 93 on thedisc 81 will engage the spring pawl 94 on the cam disc and rotate thedisc one-half revolution to position the lift of the cam under lever 91,thereby to lift the lever tocause rotation of the rake shaft and liftingof the rake 41 out of operative relation with the computing wheels.Thus, while the clock continues to operate until the next record isprinted, the computing mechanism remains idle.

While, in the foregoing description, the actuation of the mechanism hasbeen described as being initiated by introduction of a time card and bymovement of a trigger thereby to close the solenoid circuits, it will beunderstood the invention is not limited to this manner of use, as theactuation may be initiated by other means, such as by a push buttoncontrol of the solenoid switch or by extending the solenoid circuit tobe closed automatically, as by the starting and stopping of a machine towhich the device is connected, the printed record being made on anysuitable receiver therefor, such as a moving paper ribbon.

Since, in the operation already described, the resetting mechanism ofthe computing wheels functions at each operation of the solenoid H andsince it is necessary that starting and stopping of time computation.occur alternately, each at every second operation of the solenoid; thecam disc must turn only one-half revolution at each operation of thesolenoid and this governs the amount of lost motion between the discs 86and 81 and the number of pins 93 on the disc 81. For the timing ofcomputation starting and stopping, as described, the amount of lostmotion between the discs 86 and 81 need be only sufficient to ensurethat only one of the pins 93 will pass the pawl 94 at each operation ofthe solenoid so that lowering of the rake is accomplished by a halfrevolution of the cam and raising of the rake by the next halfrevolution of the cam, and thus occur only on every second operation ofthe solenoid II.

In other uses of the device, it may be neces sary to provide forstarting and stopping the computing wheels less often than at everysecond operation of the solenoid H, for example, at every third or everyfourth operation of the solenoid. This may be done by increasing thenumber of pins 93 to three, four or more and by correspondinglyincreasing the length of the notch 89 in the disc 86 so that the cam isrotated only one-third or one-fourth or smaller fraction of a revolutionat each solenoid operation. By further increasing the number of pins 93and the length of the notch 89, the rake lowering and the starting ofthe computing wheels can be arranged to occur only once in any desirednumber If the cam 88 is to be rotated less than one-quarter revolutionat a time, it is desirable to increase the diameters of ..the discs 86and 81, in proportion to the diameter of the cam, beyond that shown. a

.shownisithat when it is necessary to remove" the computing device"fromthe main frame; all? that ,isnecessary is to withdraw the "pin 2'4"an'd'liit away the ,computing device. "No connections between thecomputing device and the solenoid have tobetaken down, as thegears 64'and'ii5 merely disengage. On assembling .the computing device .totheiframaafterthey are connected by thepin 2.4,? it is a simple matterto mesh" the'gears To enable the time computing apparatus previouslydescribed to make. successive records of a single time computation orsuccessive records of different time computations without resethng aftereachvrecor'din and to render thecomputing device operative andinoperative during predetermined periods of time, irrespectiveofncomputation recordings, as is necessary for. recording computedtime'inrespect' o'f' ainumber of men,

supervisory meansisprovi'ded. This means operates' through controllingthe raising and'lowering of the computing rake '41 and mayiextend tocontrolling the operation of the solenoid "H. Suitable forms ofapparatus are illustrated in Figs; 1'4, 15.. and 1'6, but it will- .beunderstood" the invention .is not'limitedito .the specific detailsthereof or to the associationof the specific; mech- .anisms of thesefigures with that of previous figures, as other fiorms ,o'isupervi'sory,means may be used.

Referring to Figs. 14 to ,16, H4 designates-a twelve-.liour wheel,thatis, ,a' wheel making" exactly one revolution.every"twelveihours;This wheel maybeapart ofithe clock'train' Hi2, such as, the wheel drivinthe'hourih'an'd oi the' clock, or may be independent of the clocktrainand driven by any suitable means. A cam H5 is driven by the wheelHG, either directly" or through intermediate means at the rate of onerevolution every'twelveihours, or every twentyfour hours, as may bedesired. The face of the cam l'l15.is formed with notches or drops ll6'of length and positioning accordingv to thetime periods at which itisd'esired to have the computingmechanismrendered inoperative. Eachofthe drops isabrupt at its .le'adingenjd, being,preferably. radialof the.cam or; even slightly undercut. As shown, the wheel lf5is ,a twelve-hourwheel and is formed with two drops H6.positioneidto render the computingmechanisminoperative at,

say, twelve o,clock,and' five ofclock, and hold it i inoperative for,vsay,.thirty to sixty, minutesafter eachof these'ti'mes. The" camlevel-.911 is provid ed with a tail M l-carrying a pin U8 extendinglaterally therefrom. A lever lfl9lis' pivoted intermediate its endsonabracketimcarried by the frame plate2'5'. One arm of the leverl1l9'overlies the pin H8 and theiother'arm has pivoted to .it a link [2!which carries a pin r22 riding on the face ofthecam I it. The free endof the link .l2l is supported in any suitable way, for .exa'mpic on thecam shaft. .A tension spring. 1'23 is connected between the lever H9 andthe frame plate to urge the pin [2'1" against the cam. This spring I23is superior to the spring I02 which urges ,theglever 91 against the cam.88,

so that when the pin 22 enters adrop of the cam M5, the spring 123 willovercome the spring .102 andliftthe leveraway from thecaniEB, and

also lift the rake t? away from the computing wheels. The pin l22'is'preferably cut 'diame'tri I 2 .cally so: as to provide asharp-edgeanda'flat surface -facing the abrupt side of the'cam "drop,"as shown, thus to enableithe pin to' fully-enter the cam drop at agiven instantand notrjg 'ad a y InFig'.'.15' there isshownan-alternative-mecha- ,nism' designed for electrical operation.In'this mechanism, the'cam i F5 is replaced by ardisc [-24 carryingelectrical contacts of 'any'desired length inthe' circumferentialdirection of thedisc, which contacts may" be adjustableon the" disc.'The' disc is electrically insulatedTrom-the rest of the mechanism andis fed with current'through a sli'pirinig andibrus'h'. 12.6; Aflexible'conta-ct arm P27 is positioned to be engaged by the contacts(25. The disc with itscontacts .and'the'contact arm are connectedin'series'in"the circuitof' an electro magnet I28, thesarmatureof'which, designated 1:29; is carried by the:tail I fl'oftheiiever 291.The disc'l24',.contacts.i2'5 and contact-arm 1'21 constitute avery'simpletfo'rm' of program .device to open and .close a singl'excircuit.at times predetermined by the'locations of the'contacts 125'and'to'hold it closed fortperio'ds' determined by the duration ofengagement ofthe contacts Withlthe xarm 121. The mechanisms oi- Figs. li'and'l5 do'notsuperviseithe operation of. th'e resetting solenoid; Thissupervision. may be effected by any other suitable means, suchta's avpair? of contacts: in th'ej powering circuit of the solenoidarrange'd'to be operatedbythe' clock train H2, or'manualiy; .or by amasterclock. "In Fig. 16' thereiis shown adiagram of circuitsiby whichoperations of 'themagnet 128' and of the solenoid .11 are controlledb'y'a single program device [33 of any suitable or conventional constructionin which the contactsare formed. and arranged to closethe circuits ofthe magnetand of the solenoid-independently'.oflone another at-,desired"'.instants, hol'dgthem clos'edifor' predeterminedpe'riods' oftime and'thenopenthem.

-.In the operation of veither of f the ,me'chanisrns shown in Figs. 14and 15, .the powering circuit .of. the printing solenoid is. separatedfrom .the powering circuit of the'resetting solenoid'lLso that recordprinting and the resetting of the computing mechanism willlbe entirelyindependent of one another.

Eor computing and recording an ordinary. d'ays work for a number ofmen,the operationis as follows: Ats'ome time prior to .8100 A. .thecomputing. wheelshave been set. at-zero.-and the computing rake liftedsothat if men insert their time cards before 8:00 A. the printed .rec-0rd, if time wheels areassociated withthecomputing wheels, is actualtime and "(l-1.0 com puted time. At exactly eight oclock, the poweringcircuit of the solenoid His-closed, either manually or by a supervisoryprogram device, and the solenoid operates the mechanismeasalreadydescribed .to lowerthe rakedlintooperative position, so that recordsthereafter printed will show the actual time of printing and thecomputedtime since eight oclock. -.Since,.in..this application of theinvention, the circuit oflthe printing solenoids? is separate from thatof the resetting solenoid,.as already stated,. the printingoperations donot affect the solenoid .Il'Land do not cause resetting of the computing.wheels or lifting orrelease of the rake 4T. Thus,..;any number of menmay punch vinfduring the period froinshortly before eight oclock until,with the wheelsillustrated which compute by tenths .of an hour, sixminutes aftereightoclockandall .will receive .thev same computed time.record. namely 0:0. The printed instant time record 13 will show thenumber of minutes before or after eight oclock. Any man punching in atsix minutes after eight oclock and up to twelve minutes after eightoclock will get a record of, say, "8:08 A. M. :1." The computingmechanism remains in operation until twelve oclock noon. If men punchout before noon, the printed record shows the fact, the exact time ofthe punch out and the computed time since eight oclock. From eightoclock until noon, the cam II holds up the pin I22 against the urge ofthe spring I23 and thereby so positions the link I2I and the lever I I9as to leave the pin I I8 free, whereby the lever 91 will be held down byits spring I02 to 'release the rake for operation. At exactly noon,

' of the rake 41 out of operative position so that the computing wheelscease to rotate and remain at the computed time of 4:0 hours. Therecords made by men punching out late is, therefore, 4:0. At about halfpast twelve o'clock, when all men have punched out, the computing wheelsare reset to zero by operation of the solenoid II under manual orprogram device supervision, but the rake remains lifted out of operativerelation with the computing wheels. At one oclock, the solenoid II isoperated, under control as before, to lower the rake 41 for operation ofthe computing wheels. Thus, men punching in shortly before one oclockmake a record of 0:0 hours and men punching in later than six minutesafter one oclock make a record showing the computed time lost. Betweennoon and about half past twelve oclock, rotation of the cam I I5 willhave moved the drop I I6 out of register with the pin I22, therebymoving the same outwardly to shift the connected mechanism and releasethe lever 91. In the afternoon hours, the operation is merely arepetition of that described for the morning hours. At five oclock, thecam H5 releases the mechanism to lift the rake 41 and stop the computingwheels. At, say, half past five o'clock, the solenoid II is operatedunder supervision as before to cause resetting of the computing wheelsto zero and to position the cam 88 to hold the rake up, the rake beingat, or shortly after, this time freed from the urge of the spring I23,by the rotation of the cam I I 5. The mechanism is now set for operationat eight oclock the next morning.

In the arrangement shown in Fig. 15, the contact disc I24 functions asthe cam H5 and the magnet I28 as the spring I23. The lengths of thecontacts I25 determine the time periods during which the magnet holdsthe rake up and areequivalent to the lengths of the cam drops II6. Itwill be obvious that the magnet I28 may be under control of the sameprogram device I30 as supervises the solenoid ii, in which case the camII5 with its attendant mechanism and the contact disc I24 will both beomitted.

If provision is to be made for computing hours of night work, the cam H5is formed with the necessary additional drops or the disc 124 isprovided with the necessary additional contacts.

The program device may be remote from the computing and recordingmechanism and may supervise the operation of a number of such devices,or it may be closely associated with the computing mechanism, being inpart the disc I24,

.. which ;-may then carry a second row of contacts;

to control the powering of the solenoid II, so that the solenoid will becontrolled primarily by the clock motion H2 and its operation perfectlysynchronized with the operation of the magnet. It will be obvious that,with a completely electrical supervision, the magnet I28 may be mounteddirectly on the rake frame 29 in position to act directly on the rake 4!to lift the same without intervention of the lever 91.

While, in the foregoing description, the elements 31 and II have beenshown and described as solenoids, for the reason these are a verysatisfactory type of prime mover for their purpose, it will beunderstood that other types of prime movers may be provided and are tobe regarded as mere mechanical equivalents of the solenoids for thepurposes of thi invention. For example, the solenoid 31 may be replacedby a conventional trip. sprin and cooking lever arrangement for manualoperation and the solenoid II by a rotary electric motor or by a springmotor, either of which may be controlled by insection of a time card orby supervisory means as already described, or even manually. Also, thesolenoids may .be replaced by pneumatically powered plungers undercontrol substantially as already described.

It will be seen from all the foregoing that my invention provides meansfor computing and recording elapsed time under a considerable variety ofconditions to meet the requirements .of industry; for suspending theoperation of the computing 'means while holding the computation duringpredetermined periods of time; for starting and stopping computation atpredetermined times and for automatically resetting the computing means,either after each recording or at predetermined times.

Having thus described my invention, I claim: 1. In a time computingrecorder comprising,

. time computing and recording elements; a conmeans for said elementsand driving means between said actuating means and said elements; meansto position said driving means selectively in operative and ininoperative positions relatively to said elements; and means controllingsaid positioning means, including means to urge the positioning means torelease the driving means for operative engagement with the elements;and a cam having a lift to hold said controlling means against said urgeand in suchwise that the positioning means holds the element drivingmeans in inoperative position, the last said means including a shaft onwhich the cam is rotatable; ratchet driving connection between saidshaft and said cam; a prime mover operatively connected to the shaft torotate the same alternately in reverse and in positive directions; andmeans to control said prime mover for operation at predetermined times.

3. In a time computing recorder comprising, a

-rotatably mounted shaft; time computing and recording elementsrotatably mounted on said shaft and driving means to rotate saidelementssetting, comprising a pin onone of saidelement and its associated discand-a spring pawl on the other of saidelement andassociated disc; and

'meanstorOtate said shaft in reverse direction to position said discsfor element resetting-and subsequently in positive direction for elementresetting.

4. In a time computing recorder comprising, a

rotatably mounted shaft; time computing and recordingelements rotatablymounted on saidshaft and pivotally mounted pawl means-engageable withsaid elements to rotate same for time computing; means to positionsaid'pawl-means selectively inoperative and in inoperative relations tosaid-elments, including a pawl position controlling lever; a .camrotatable on said shaft controlling the position of saidlever; a camdriving disc rotatable on said shaft; ratchet'driving connection-betweensaid disc and said-cam;--lost motion driving connection between saidshaft and said-disc; and means to rotate saidshaft'in positive andreverse directions.

5. In-a time computing recordercomprising, a rotatably mounted shaft;time computing and recording elements rotatably mounted on said shaft;elementdrivingmeans including a frame oscillatably mounted on the shaftand pawl means pivotally mounted in said'frame; an arm connected to saidpawl means tocontrol operative engagement thereof with said elements; alever engaged by said arm; said lever being formed in such-wise thatthearm mayrreciprocate thereon during-oscillation-of the frame with outaltering the relative positions of the arm and vframe; a cam controllingthe position of said lever; and means to partially rotate said camwhereby the lever and arm are shifted to move the pawl means outofoperative relation to said-elements and -.to further partially rotatesaid cam whereby the lever and armarexshifted to move the pawl meansinto operative relation to saidelements.

.6.- In a .time computing recorder comprising,

time computing elements; means to actuate said elements for timecomputing and means to print a record 'of time computation registered bysaid elements", including .a prime mover; means to move said elementsbetween computing periods 101- resettingthereof, including va .primemover, and .means to render said elements inoperative at :one resettingthereof and to hold them inoperative during --at least one furtherresetting and .to render them operative upon a predeter- .I'n'ine'dnumber of .resettings.

.7. In combination with structure according to .claim- 6, meansresponsive to movement of a rec- .ord receiving memberinto recordreceiving position between the elements and the printing- .means toinitiate action of both said prime ;movers.

, said first solenoid operating instantly on solenoid operation and aholding circuit for said second solenoid to prolong the poweringthereof- :during a major portion of thestroketherof.

9'. .lnatime computing recorder -:cor r. unrising i 1 -26 time computingelements .and means tov actuate said elements for time computing; meansindependent-of said actuating means tomove said elements for resettingincluding,-a prime mover having. a reciprocatable part;means-controlling the powering of said prime mover including apivoted-member extending alonga portion of the path of travelof saidreciprocatable part .and in-- clined to and crossing said path and.adapted to be engaged by saidpart during-movement thereof in onedirection and movedthereby to maintain powering of said primemoverduring said engagement, said pivotedmember beingiadapted toposition itself out of the pathof movement of the reciprocatable partduring movement op posite the first.

10. In a time computing recordercomprising. time computing elements andmeans to actuate .said elements for time computing; means toactactsadapted to be closed at the commencement of' powered plunger movementand held closed during a portion of such movement and thereafter toremain open to permit return of the plunger.

11. In a time computing recorder comprising, time computing elements andmeans actuating said elements for time computing; means to movesaid-elements independently of theactuatingmeans. for resetting the samecomprising, a solenoid; driving connection between-saidsolenoid and saidelements; a spring opposing the operation of the solenoid, to cushionthe driving connection against shock and to return the drivingconnection to original position; and a recoil damping means to cushionsaid driving connection against shock due to recoil action of saidspring.

12. In a time computing recorder comprising, arotatably mounted shaft;time computing elements rotatably mounted on said shaft and actuatingmeans for said computing elements oscillatably mounted on said shaftincluding pawl means normally operatively engaging said elements; meansto rotate said shaft in operating cycles each comprising approximatelyone revolution each in reverse and positive directions; resetting discs:irrevolubly mounted on said shaft; ratchet driving connection betweensaid discs and said elements for moving said elements in computingdirection independently of the actuating means thereof, thereby to resetthe elements; and means to control operative engagement of said pawlmeans and said elements, thereby to determine the duration of andintervals between time computing operations 'comprising, a cam rotatablymounted on said'shaft; lever'mechanism controlled by said cam to movesaid pawl means into and out of operative relation to said elements; andratchet driving connection between said shaft and said-cam adaptedto'move the cam in-integrating manner, whereby thecam is rotated onecomplete revolution during, at the least, every two operative cycles ofsaid shaft.

13; In combination with structure according toclaim 12, powered timingmeans engaging said lever mechanism to hold the same and the connectedpawl means in inoperative position independently of release by said camfor operation.

1%. Structure according to claim 12 in which the driving connectionbetween the shaft and the cam comprises a disc fixed to said shaft; adisc rotatable on said shaft; lost motion driving connection betweensaid discs; a pawl carried by one of said disc and said cam; and aplurality of teeth carried by the other of said disc and said cam,engageable successively by said pawl.

15. In a time computing recorder, including a shaft; revolubly mountedtime computing wheels; means for driving said wheels for time computingcomprising, a frame oscillatably mounted on said shaft and pawl meanspivotally mounted on said frame and engageable with said wheels to drivethe same in integrating manner; means to control engagement of said pawlmeans with the Wheels for control of the duration of and the intervalsbetween time computing operations comprising, a cam on said shaft; alever riding on said cam; a lever connected to said pawl means andriding on said first lever, said second lever moving in an arcuate pathby reason of the oscillation of the frame; said first lever being curvedin the part thereof engaged by said second lever to conformapproximately to the arcuate path of the second lever, wherebypositioning of the pawl means by said cam is unaffected by oscillationof the frame; and means to rotate said cam through a fraction only of arevolution at each operation thereof.

16. In a time computing recorder, a rotatably mounted shaft; timecomputing and recording elements rotatably mounted on said shaft fortime computing; resetting discs irrevolubly mounted on said shaft;ratchet driving connection between said discs and said elements; meansto rotate said shaft in reverse and in positive directions, relativelyto the movement of said elements in computing, to respectively positionsaid discs for element resetting and to subsequently reset the elements.

17. Structure according to claim 16 in which the shaft rotation islimited to less than one revolution, whereby the ratchet drivingconnection of elements which have not moved does not operatively engagesaid elements and the elements remain stationary during resetting ofelements which have moved.

18. In combination with structure according to claim 16, means to rendersaid elements inoperative upon one reverse and positive rotation of saidshaft and to maintain the elements inoperative during at least onesucceeding reverse and positive rotation of said shaft, comprising a camand a driving disc rotatable on said shaft; a pawl on one of said camand disc; a plurality of teeth on the other of said cam and disc forengagement by said pawl; and a lost motion driving connection betweensaid shaft and said disc adapted to move the disc through the angulardistance between adjacent teeth thereof upon each reverse and positiverotation of said shaft.

19. In a time computing recorder, a main frame; a sub-frame; timecomputing elements mounted in said sub-frame; means for controlling theperiods of operation of said elements and for resetting the elements,mounted partly on said main frame and partly on said sub-frame andincluding a pair of interengaging members, one on the main frame and theother on the subframe, disengageable on separation of the main andsub-frames without altering the adjustment of either part of said means.

20. A time recording device comprising a shaft; a plurality of printingwheels rotatably mounted on said shaft; a continuously oscillating rakehaving pawls to operatively engage said printing wheels; means to movethe pawls associated with certain of said wheels out of operativerelation with the wheels and to hold them out of opera tion with thewheels while the rake continues to oscillate, whereby said certainwheels remain stationary and hold a record registered thereby while theother wheels continue to be operated; means to print a record from allsaid wheels; and means associated with said printing means for releasingthe pawls of said certain wheels for operative engagement with thewheels after a predetermined number of operations of the printing means.

21. A time recording device comprising a shaft; a plurality of printingwheels rotatably mounted on said shaft; a continuously oscillating rakehaving pawls to operatively engage said printing wheels; means to movethe pawls associated with certain of said wheels out of operativerelation with the wheels and to hold them out of operative relation withthe wheels while the rake continues to oscillate, whereby said certainwheels remain stationary and hold a record registered thereby while theother wheels continue to be operated; means to print a record from allsaid wheels; and means associated with said printing means for movingsaid certain wheels after a predetermined number of operations of theprinting means to positions of readiness for operation by said pawls tomake a fresh record.

BROWNING PATON WOOD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,186,541 Bryce June 13, 19161,277,086 Larrabee Aug. 27, 1918 1,295,110 Brown Feb. 25, 1919 1,432,627Shenstone Oct. 17, 1922 1,487,143 Brendle Mar. 18, 1924 1,554,283 KernSept. 22, 1925 1,590,806 Brendle June 29, 1926 1,780,770 Salustri et a1.Nov. 4, 1930 1,795,085 Dwyer Mar. 3, 1931 2,019,307 Friden Oct. 29, 19352,138,480 Wild Nov. 29, 1938 2,153,185 Harrison Apr. 4, 1939 2,193,629Hopping Mar. 12, 1940 2,231,288 Hemmingson Feb. 11, 1941 2,285,844Spaunberg June 9, 1942 2,293,934 Cooper Aug. 25, 1942 2,310,347 BerckFeb. 9, 1943

